Founded: 1992
Founder: Rocky Batty
Location: Boston, MA

From catalogs and marketing materials, Pimpgear in their own words: “Original Pimpgear® was started on New Year’s Eve of 1992 by two DJ’s who were into graffiti, music, sneakers, and the politics of society. Pimpgear® was founded on one simple principle: that no matter who you are or what you do, you are either a pimp or a ho. In the 1990’s and beyond, the word “PIMP” is not meant with any sexual connotation. Rather, it is used by millions of people as a classic reappropriation of a historically negative word to have a current, positive meaning. It is meant to refer to anyone, be it a skateboarder from around the way, or a DJ spinning their first rave; perhaps a grandmother kicking back in retirement, or a writer catching wreck with a phat burner; maybe even a B-boy dancing, an MC rhyming, or a three-point specialist sinking a deep trey. Regardless, these days the word “PIMP” is found everywhere–in music, in conversation, and in print–referring to someone who does their own thing, while not “prostituting” themselves to anyone.

Pimpgear® was the first in the clothing industry to grasp this idea, and has had exclusive rights to market the word on clothing since its beginning. Because so many men, women, boys and girls can relate to the concept we’re pushing, Pimpgear® and Pimpgirl® have been blowing up around the world for seven years now. With underground roots, lots of help from talented artists (including Jazbo-NYC, Slash1-East Chicago, Optimis-Milwaukee, Maiz-Milwaukee, DYSE One-San Diego, Target-Boston, SP One-NYC, Doze-TC5 Crew, and Media-Boston), and a vision for the future, we have big plans to continue taking over your world. Keep an eye out!”

Contributing Members: @mrthingone